In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Gerhard Loots (CEO, Kallipr) sits down with the Australian Water Association to discuss future-proofing water utilities through digitisation. 

The discussion covers the technological advancements that enable better water management and infrastructure longevity, emphasising how Australia's progressive utilities are leading the way in adopting innovative solutions. From low-power networks like Cat-M and NB-IoT to advanced localised processing, Gerhard explains how these technologies are transforming water utilities. 

Gerhard also highlights the importance of real-time data collection, comparing it to innovations in other industries like aviation and road infrastructure. He stresses the challenges of managing vast amounts of data, the benefits of near real-time information, and the need for a robust data strategy. Additionally, Gerhard shares exciting examples of water rejuvenation projects and emerging technologies, such as AI, that are poised to reshape the future of water management. 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Gerhard Loots (CEO, Kallipr) sits down with the Australian Water Association to discuss future-proofing water utilities through digitisation. 
The discussion covers the technological advancements that enable better water management and infrastructure longevity, emphasising how Australia's progressive utilities are leading the way in adopting innovative solutions. From low-power networks like Cat-M and NB-IoT to advanced localised processing, Gerhard explains how these technologies are transforming water utilities. 
Gerhard also highlights the importance of real-time data collection, comparing it to innovations in other industries like aviation and road infrastructure. He stresses the challenges of managing vast amounts of data, the benefits of near real-time information, and the need for a robust data strategy. Additionally, Gerhard shares exciting examples of water rejuvenation projects and emerging technologies, such as AI, that are poised to reshape the future of water management.

Gerhard Loots discusses future-proofing water utilities through digitisation

Future-proofing water utilities with IoT with Gerhard Loots of Kallipr 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Neil Gordon (Segment Lead for Water, Schneider Electric) sits down with the Australian Water Association to discuss how Schneider Electric is driving sustainability through innovative solutions aimed at helping the water sector meet ambitious net-zero and decarbonisation goals 

The conversation touches on the major challenges the water industry faces, including resource constraints and the pace of technological change, and how circular economy principles and collaboration across sectors—such as hydrogen production—are unlocking new possibilities. Neil also highlights the power of AI and machine learning in optimizing processes, from water treatment to big data management, revealing exciting advancements taking place globally. This episode offers a deep dive into the future of water management and the vital role technology plays in shaping a more sustainable world. 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Neil Gordon (Segment Lead for Water, Schneider Electric) sits down with the Australian Water Association to discuss how Schneider Electric is driving sustainability through innovative solutions aimed at helping the water sector meet ambitious net-zero and decarbonisation goals 
The conversation touches on the major challenges the water industry faces, including resource constraints and the pace of technological change, and how circular economy principles and collaboration across sectors—such as hydrogen production—are unlocking new possibilities. Neil also highlights the power of AI and machine learning in optimizing processes, from water treatment to big data management, revealing exciting advancements taking place globally. This episode offers a deep dive into the future of water management and the vital role technology plays in shaping a more sustainable world.

Neil Gordon discusses how Schneider Electric is driving sustainability through innovative solutions in the water sector

Schneider Electric in the Water industry with Neil Gordon

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Lisa Fragomeni (Engineering Services Partnership Manager, Yarra Valley Water) and Jane La Nauze (Victorian Business Leader for Water, Stantec) sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss the importance of diversity in the water sector. 


They explore how diverse perspectives—whether in terms of gender, cultural background, or neurodiversity—lead to better outcomes for both infrastructure projects and the broader community. The conversation highlights Yarra Valley Water's deliberate approach to fostering diverse thinking through partnerships, and both Lisa and Jane reflect on their own experiences as women in the industry. They also discuss the need for ongoing efforts to encourage more underrepresented groups into water and engineering roles, and how early outreach in schools could inspire the next generation of water professionals.

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Lisa Fragomeni (Engineering Services Partnership Manager, Yarra Valley Water) and Jane La Nauze (Victorian Business Leader for Water, Stantec) sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss the importance of diversity in the water sector. 
 They explore how diverse perspectives—whether in terms of gender, cultural background, or neurodiversity—lead to better outcomes for both infrastructure projects and the broader community. The conversation highlights Yarra Valley Water's deliberate approach to fostering diverse thinking through partnerships, and both Lisa and Jane reflect on their own experiences as women in the industry. They also discuss the need for ongoing efforts to encourage more underrepresented groups into water and engineering roles, and how early outreach in schools could inspire the next generation of water professionals.

Lisa Fragomeni of Yarra Valley Water and Jane La Nauze of Stantec discuss diversity in the water sector

Accelerating through diversity with Lisa Fragomeni of Yarra Valley Water and Jane La Nauze of Stantec 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Greg Rafferty (Social Inclusion Manager) and Rebecca Smith (Stakeholder and Social Inclusion Manager), both from John Holland sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss social inclusion in the water sector. 

The discussion explores how creating employment opportunities for people facing barriers, such as refugees or those with disabilities, can transform lives and benefit the industry. The conversation covers the challenges of implementing social inclusion strategies, the positive impact on project teams, and how diverse backgrounds contribute to problem-solving and innovation. Both Greg and Rebecca stress the importance of collaboration, starting with small changes, and the need for a mindset shift to embrace diversity and inclusion within the workforce. 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Greg Rafferty (Social Inclusion Manager) and Rebecca Smith (Stakeholder and Social Inclusion Manager), both from John Holland sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss social inclusion in the water sector. 
The discussion explores how creating employment opportunities for people facing barriers, such as refugees or those with disabilities, can transform lives and benefit the industry. The conversation covers the challenges of implementing social inclusion strategies, the positive impact on project teams, and how diverse backgrounds contribute to problem-solving and innovation. Both Greg and Rebecca stress the importance of collaboration, starting with small changes, and the need for a mindset shift to embrace diversity and inclusion within the workforce.

Greg Rafferty and Rebecca Smith of John Holland speak about social inclusion

Social Inclusion with Greg Rafferty and Rebecca Smith of John Holland

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Nick Freeman (Engineering Manager) and Voon Chin (Planning Development and Completions Manager), both from John Holland sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss the circular economy and its application to the water sector.

Circularity, often linked to sustainability, involves creating value from waste, such as transforming waste streams into useful products. Speaking to examples from John Holland projects, such as using worm farms to treat septic waste and co-digestion systems, Nick and Voon emphasise the importance of collaboration and innovation.  

Challenges like cost, risk management, and the need for collaboration across industries are also discussed, with a particular focus on opportunities like food waste management, biogas reintegration, and hydrogen production as future directions for utilities and water treatment. 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Nick Freeman (Engineering Manager) and Voon Chin (Planning Development and Completions Manager), both from John Holland sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss the circular economy and its application to the water sector. 
Circularity, often linked to sustainability, involves creating value from waste, such as transforming waste streams into useful products. Speaking to examples from John Holland projects, such as using worm farms to treat septic waste and co-digestion systems, Nick and Voon emphasise the importance of collaboration and innovation.  
Challenges like cost, risk management, and the need for collaboration across industries are also discussed, with a particular focus on opportunities like food waste management, biogas reintegration, and hydrogen production as future directions for utilities and water treatment.

Circular Economy with Nick Freeman and Voon Chin of John Holland

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Keith Dimech (Environment and Sustainability Manager) and Aaron Sacagio (National Environment and Sustainability Manager for Infrastructure and Major Projects), both from John Holland sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss sustainability challenges in the construction and water industries.

The water sector is facing significant challenges and advancements in sustainability, particularly in decarbonisation to meet government targets and in understanding complex carbon footprints. Aaron and Keith emphasise the need for early engagement, collaboration, and the use of innovative materials to reduce carbon emissions without relying heavily on offsets.  

Imminent changes in Scope 3 reporting legislation are impacting the industry, highlighting the importance of standardising data collection and reporting. The sector is also shifting towards research, development, and technology-agnostic approaches to achieve its sustainability goals. 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Keith Dimech (Environment and Sustainability Manager) and Aaron Sacagio (National Environment and Sustainability Manager for Infrastructure and Major Projects), both from John Holland sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss sustainability challenges in the construction and water industries. 
The water sector is facing significant challenges and advancements in sustainability, particularly in decarbonisation to meet government targets and in understanding complex carbon footprints. Aaron and Keith emphasise the need for early engagement, collaboration, and the use of innovative materials to reduce carbon emissions without relying heavily on offsets.  
Imminent changes in Scope 3 reporting legislation are impacting the industry, highlighting the importance of standardising data collection and reporting. The sector is also shifting towards research, development, and technology-agnostic approaches to achieve its sustainability goals.

Keith Dimech (Environment and Sustainability Manager) and Aaron Sacagio (National Environment and Sustainability Manager for Infrastructure and Major Projects), both from John Holland sit down with the Australian Water Association to discuss sustainability challenges in the construction and water industries.

Sustainability and Decarbonisation with Keith Dimech and Aaron Sacagio of John Holland

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Shaun Kempton (National Water Manager) and Melissa Mellado Ruiz (Business Development Manager) from John Holland sit down with host Jo Taranto to discuss resilience and adaptation in the context of water infrastructure. 

In an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges, the water industry faces significant hurdles that demand innovative and resilient solutions. Resilience could be described as the ability to create robustness and flexibility within systems, allowing for a versatile response to change. This concept is crucial in an industry where reliance on a single point of failure can lead to catastrophic consequences. In essence, resilience involves having multiple options to respond to various outcomes, ensuring that systems are not only durable but also adaptable. 

Challenges in the water industry

The water industry in Australia faces significant challenges that require urgent attention, as highlighted by Shaun. "There are massive challenges coming up," he noted, pointing to an ageing asset base that has been in service for extended periods. This, coupled with and broader sectoral shifts, places immense pressure on water infrastructure. The shift from traditional transport and rail infrastructure to energy and water sectors adds another layer of complexity. This transition demands innovative solutions and adaptability to meet new demands. 

Melissa Mellado Ruiz highlighted the dual pressures impacting water infrastructure. She mentioned the acute shocks of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and bushfires, which strain existing systems. Additionally, "urbanisation and the growth of population" are slow stresses that continually exert pressure on water assets. These dynamics require a mix of solutions that are tailored to specific challenges. 

Collaborative approaches and projects

Collaboration emerges as a key strategy in building resilience. Melissa emphasised the importance of working closely with clients and stakeholders, saying, "It's about looking at it from a collaborative perspective." By engaging with various partners, John Holland aims to develop solutions that transcend the boundaries of individual water utilities and create synergies across the market. 

Shaun shared insights into specific projects that exemplify this collaborative approach. He mentioned their work in the desalination space, noting, "We're very proud of the two desalination plants that we've built on the Gold Coast and in Sydney." These plants, soon to be expanded, address the challenges of growth and resilience. The Belmont desalination project and the proposed Northern Water Project in South Australia further illustrate John Holland's commitment to enhancing water infrastructure. 

In addition to desalination, the shift toward purified recycled water is gaining momentum. Shaun expressed excitement about the Upper South Creek project for Sydney Water, describing it as "very large, technologically advanced," and a potential pioneer in Australia's water management landscape. 

Opportunities, risks and advice for industry stakeholders

While the water sector presents numerous opportunities, it also involves risks that must be navigated carefully. Shaun emphasised the importance of a values-based approach, stating, "It's a space that we see a lot of opportunity to leave a lasting social impact." Projects must consider the entire lifecycle, from design and construction to operation, to ensure sustainable solutions. 

Melissa offered practical advice for other utilities and stakeholders: continue fostering collaboration and sharing best practices. She noted that while solutions may vary by region, learning from successful initiatives can inspire innovative approaches tailored to specific contexts. 

Shaun added the importance of clarity in project goals and valuation. He advised, "Be clear about the outcomes that you're seeking and how you value projects." By understanding what customers value and aligning project metrics accordingly, stakeholders can ensure more effective decision-making. 

As the sector grapples with the pressures of climate change, urbanisation, and legislative shifts, collaboration and innovation are key to building resilient and adaptable water systems. By embracing these principles, the water sector can ensure reliable and sustainable resources for the future. 

Thank you to our host Jo Taranto and our guests, Shaun Kempton and Melissa Mellado Ruiz for their time. 

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Shaun Kempton (National Water Manager) and Melissa Mellado Ruiz (Business Development Manager) from John Holland sit down with host Jo Taranto to discuss resilience and adaptation in the context of water infrastructure. 
<hr>
In an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges, the water industry faces significant hurdles that demand innovative and resilient solutions. Resilience could be described as the ability to create robustness and flexibility within systems, allowing for a versatile response to change. This concept is crucial in an industry where reliance on a single point of failure can lead to catastrophic consequences. In essence, resilience involves having multiple options to respond to various outcomes, ensuring that systems are not only durable but also adaptable. 
<hr>
Challenges in the water industry 
The water industry in Australia faces significant challenges that require urgent attention, as highlighted by Shaun. "There are massive challenges coming up," he noted, pointing to an ageing asset base that has been in service for extended periods. This, coupled with and broader sectoral shifts, places immense pressure on water infrastructure. The shift from traditional transport and rail infrastructure to energy and water sectors adds another layer of complexity. This transition demands innovative solutions and adaptability to meet new demands. 
Melissa Mellado Ruiz highlighted the dual pressures impacting water infrastructure. She mentioned the acute shocks of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and bushfires, which strain existing systems. Additionally, "urbanisation and the growth of population" are slow stresses that continually exert pressure on water assets. These dynamics require a mix of solutions that are tailored to specific challenges. 
<hr>
Collaborative approaches and projects 
Collaboration emerges as a key strategy in building resilience. Melissa emphasised the importance of working closely with clients and stakeholders, saying, "It's about looking at it from a collaborative perspective." By engaging with various partners, John Holland aims to develop solutions that transcend the boundaries of individual water utilities and create synergies across the market. 
Shaun shared insights into specific projects that exemplify this collaborative approach. He mentioned their work in the desalination space, noting, "We're very proud of the two desalination plants that we've built on the Gold Coast and in Sydney." These plants, soon to be expanded, address the challenges of growth and resilience. The Belmont desalination project and the proposed Northern Water Project in South Australia further illustrate John Holland's commitment to enhancing water infrastructure. 
In addition to desalination, the shift toward purified recycled water is gaining momentum. Shaun expressed excitement about the Upper South Creek project for Sydney Water, describing it as "very large, technologically advanced," and a potential pioneer in Australia's water management landscape. 
<hr>
Opportunities, risks and advice for industry stakeholders 
While the water sector presents numerous opportunities, it also involves risks that must be navigated carefully. Shaun emphasised the importance of a values-based approach, stating, "It's a space that we see a lot of opportunity to leave a lasting social impact." Projects must consider the entire lifecycle, from design and construction to operation, to ensure sustainable solutions. 
Melissa offered practical advice for other utilities and stakeholders: continue fostering collaboration and sharing best practices. She noted that while solutions may vary by region, learning from successful initiatives can inspire innovative approaches tailored to specific contexts. 
Shaun added the importance of clarity in project goals and valuation. He advised, "Be clear about the outcomes that you're seeking and how you value projects." By understanding what customers value and aligning project metrics accordingly, stakeholders can ensure more effective decision-making. 
As the sector grapples with the pressures of climate change, urbanisation, and legislative shifts, collaboration and innovation are key to building resilient and adaptable water systems. By embracing these principles, the water sector can ensure reliable and sustainable resources for the future. 
<hr>
Thank you to our host Jo Taranto and our guests, Shaun Kempton and Melissa Mellado Ruiz for their time.

Resilience and adaptation to climate change with Shaun Kempton and Melissa Mellado Ruiz

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Mark Newland, Technical Director for Water at Downer sits down with host Jo Taranto to discuss Membrane Bioreactors.

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are combinations of membrane processes like microfiltration or ultrafiltration with a biological wastewater treatment process, the activated sludge process. These technologies are now widely used for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.

“Activated sludge has been around since the early 1900’s”, said Mark.

“The MBRs technology are somewhat of a step change in the industry in the early 2000s and we first started to have a look at the adoption of membranes in 2002-2003. There were few reference plants in in the world, it was quite early in the commercialisation stage worldwide at that time and [with] very few suppliers as well. Our first MBR was a plant at Victor Harbour in South Australia which was designed in 2003, commissioned in 2005 and at the time it was only the second MBR in Australia and by far the largest. It has a dry weather capacity of about 5 megalitres per day.”

Mark notes that since 2005, Downer have been using a different type of membranes called hollow fibre membranes.

Advantages of MBRs

The initial selling point for MBRs focused on how they require less space than a conventional treatment plant. 

“If you fast forward through years of population growth in Australia, it's quite common that we're now finding treatment plants [that once had large amounts of space] are now constrained and they just don't have the space for expansion of the conventional process,” said Mark.

“The advantage of the MBR being compact is important in this day and age”.

MBR technology is cheaper compared to standard treatment plants due to requiring lower quantities of materials including big ticket items e.g., concrete and steel. MBRs are quicker to build, require less labour.

“If I think about my time in the industry, we've seen a couple of periods where construction costs have escalated substantially, the first of those periods was in the in the first mining boom and just more recently, treatment plant costs have practically doubled but in the meantime, membrane costs have been reducing. We're paying less for membranes than we did in the early days”, said Mark.

Key learnings

“I think it's fair to say that over the years we've got most things right but there are certainly some good lessons in both our Downer and the water industry toolkits”, said Mark.

He also points to the importance of having robust screening both upfront and continuous as a factor in why MBRs have been successful.

“We've certainly had experiences with certain types of screens that are not as reliable as others”, said Mark.

“Another important lesson is not to feed a membrane tank from one end and take the water out of the other because that overconcentrates the activated sludge and so some of the membranes are having to work a lot harder than others”.

What's next for membrane bioreactors?

Mark ends the podcast episode by relaying that there will be future development on MBRs and improved flux rates.

“We'll continue to see development... we're continuing to improve the integration of the membranes with the biological process, and we continue to achieve better efficient quality with respect to nitrogen phosphorus”, said Mark.

“With more operating experience, I'd expect to see adoption of MBR technology for upgrading of existing plants will become commonplace as it just makes so much sense from a sustainability cost, space, excellent quality and ease of operation perspective”.

Thank you to our host Jo Taranto and our guest Mark Newland for their time.

Season 8, Accelerating Action is proudly sponsored by Downer

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Mark Newland, Technical Director for Water at Downer sits down with host Jo Taranto to discuss Membrane Bioreactors.
<hr>
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are combinations of membrane processes like microfiltration or ultrafiltration with a biological wastewater treatment process, the activated sludge process. These technologies are now widely used for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.
<blockquote>
“Activated sludge has been around since the early 1900’s”, said Mark.
“The MBRs technology are somewhat of a step change in the industry in the early 2000s and we first started to have a look at the adoption of membranes in 2002-2003. There were few reference plants in in the world, it was quite early in the commercialisation stage worldwide at that time and [with] very few suppliers as well. Our first MBR was a plant at Victor Harbour in South Australia which was designed in 2003, commissioned in 2005 and at the time it was only the second MBR in Australia and by far the largest. It has a dry weather capacity of about 5 megalitres per day.”
</blockquote>
Mark notes that since 2005, Downer have been using a different type of membranes called hollow fibre membranes.
<hr>
Advantages of MBRs
<blockquote>
The initial selling point for MBRs focused on how they require less space than a conventional treatment plant. “If you fast forward through years of population growth in Australia, it's quite common that we're now finding treatment plants [that once had large amounts of space] are now constrained and they just don't have the space for expansion of the conventional process,” said Mark. “The advantage of the MBR being compact is important in this day and age”.
</blockquote>
MBR technology is cheaper compared to standard treatment plants due to requiring lower quantities of materials including big ticket items e.g., concrete and steel. MBRs are quicker to build, require less labour.
<blockquote>
“If I think about my time in the industry, we've seen a couple of periods where construction costs have escalated substantially, the first of those periods was in the in the first mining boom and just more recently, treatment plant costs have practically doubled but in the meantime, membrane costs have been reducing. We're paying less for membranes than we did in the early days”, said Mark.
</blockquote>
<hr>
Key learnings
<blockquote>
“I think it's fair to say that over the years we've got most things right but there are certainly some good lessons in both our Downer and the water industry toolkits”, said Mark.
</blockquote>
He also points to the importance of having robust screening both upfront and continuous as a factor in why MBRs have been successful.
<blockquote>
“We've certainly had experiences with certain types of screens that are not as reliable as others”, said Mark.
“Another important lesson is not to feed a membrane tank from one end and take the water out of the other because that overconcentrates the activated sludge and so some of the membranes are having to work a lot harder than others”.
</blockquote>
<hr>
What's next for membrane bioreactors?
Mark ends the podcast episode by relaying that there will be future development on MBRs and improved flux rates.
<blockquote>
“We'll continue to see development... we're continuing to improve the integration of the membranes with the biological process, and we continue to achieve better efficient quality with respect to nitrogen phosphorus”, said Mark.
“With more operating experience, I'd expect to see adoption of MBR technology for upgrading of existing plants will become commonplace as it just makes so much sense from a sustainability cost, space, excellent quality and ease of operation perspective”.
</blockquote>
Thank you to our host Jo Taranto and our guest Mark Newland for their time.
<hr>
<a href="https://www.downergroup.com/">Season 8, Accelerating Action is proudly sponsored by Downer</a>

Membrane Bioreactors with Mark Newland

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Maria Gatica (Project Engineer), Dalia Adam (Commissioning Engineer) and Caitriona Ledgewood (Senior Community Engagement Manager) from Downer sit down with host Jo Taranto to discuss supporting women in the water industry.

Many companies and water utilities today have strong diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at supporting and retaining women in the industry. This is a far cry from decades past when promoting women in the industry was seen as ‘niche’. Maria, Dalia and Caitriona discuss the progress made to better include more women in the sector and the lessons learned along the way.

“One of the most notable changes is female participation. When I started my first role in a civil engineering company, I was the only female embedded in the project team, we had one other female and she was a receptionist, so for me, it was quite daunting to be the only female on that team”, said Caitriona.

“When I look back to how far the industry's come, I guess that change hasn't been a quick change, it's actually been quite a long duration”.

Caitriona points to the AWA Mentoring Program as an example of how other initiatives can also create spaces for women to feel valued, supported and to work together to achieve progress.

Cross-collaboration and communication

Maria is from Chile, which has added an extra challenge to being hired as a woman in the water industry.

“It has certainly been a challenge, settling from one country to another, getting used to the new culture and when it comes down to being on the field, you certainly feel different”, said Maria.

“I look different, I speak different, so when it comes to talking to people and getting around the accent, you're trying to get your job right. If I must ask two or three times, I'm going to make sure I ask it because my goal is to do my job right. Communication is key, we all have different accents as well which is also the beauty of this diversity”.

A supportive work environment is crucial to determining the progress for how far women have come in the industry. Being able to ask the right questions and feeling comfortable enough and valued enough is pivotal.

Dalia is new to the water industry and has expressed how having supportive managers and environments is beneficial.

“Coming into the downer team, with all the engineers and especially the females around me are just so comfortable”, said Dalia.

“[I feel that I can] ask questions a million times just to get that answer.

Inspirational women in water

Maria, Dalia, and Caitriona discuss the importance of visible women role models and who has inspired them to pursue a career.

“For me it's not just one person, it's a village, it's my mother, my siblings, the aunties in my community, it's my cousins and ancestors. Being the first civil engineer in my family is a real roller coaster but I've always had that support from my family and my community so that's something that I highly value”, said Dalia.

“I owe this to my mother. From when I was very little, she empowered me and made me aware that there's no challenge I cannot overcome. My mum was the first woman to go to university among seven siblings in a countryside family” said Maria.

“At work, I encounter women that have taken me to the next level, so they see my will to learn, they see my curiosity”.

Mentoring and future steps

Mentoring can be a powerful tool for women to connect and work with other women in the industry. Mentoring creates visibility in the space and allow for flourishing projects between women. For Caitriona, being part of the AWA Mentoring program allows her to build confidence in fellow women professionals so that ‘being the only female’ in the company is no longer a present reality.

“I was determined because I didn't have that support so for me when I progressed under a leadership role, I really wanted to be the manager to my team that I felt that I never had.” Said Caitriona.

“I wanted to be a mentor, support my team and give them the tools that they needed to progress as well, and I've watched many teams members progress in their career. I definitely draw my inspiration from my team.”

Season 8, Accelerating Action is proudly sponsored by Downer

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Maria Gatica (Project Engineer), Dalia Adam (Commissioning Engineer) and Caitriona Ledgewood (Senior Community Engagement Manager) from Downer sit down with host Jo Taranto to discuss supporting women in the water industry.
<hr>
Many companies and water utilities today have strong diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at supporting and retaining women in the industry. This is a far cry from decades past when promoting women in the industry was seen as ‘niche’. Maria, Dalia and Caitriona discuss the progress made to better include more women in the sector and the lessons learned along the way.
<hr>
<blockquote>
“One of the most notable changes is female participation. When I started my first role in a civil engineering company, I was the only female embedded in the project team, we had one other female and she was a receptionist, so for me, it was quite daunting to be the only female on that team”, said Caitriona.
“When I look back to how far the industry's come, I guess that change hasn't been a quick change, it's actually been quite a long duration”.
</blockquote>
Caitriona points to the AWA Mentoring Program as an example of how other initiatives can also create spaces for women to feel valued, supported and to work together to achieve progress.
<hr>
Cross-collaboration and communication
Maria is from Chile, which has added an extra challenge to being hired as a woman in the water industry.
<blockquote>
“It has certainly been a challenge, settling from one country to another, getting used to the new culture and when it comes down to being on the field, you certainly feel different”, said Maria.
“I look different, I speak different, so when it comes to talking to people and getting around the accent, you're trying to get your job right. If I must ask two or three times, I'm going to make sure I ask it because my goal is to do my job right. Communication is key, we all have different accents as well which is also the beauty of this diversity”.
</blockquote>
A supportive work environment is crucial to determining the progress for how far women have come in the industry. Being able to ask the right questions and feeling comfortable enough and valued enough is pivotal.
Dalia is new to the water industry and has expressed how having supportive managers and environments is beneficial.
<blockquote>
“Coming into the downer team, with all the engineers and especially the females around me are just so comfortable”, said Dalia.
“[I feel that I can] ask questions a million times just to get that answer.
</blockquote>
<hr>
Inspirational women in water
Maria, Dalia, and Caitriona discuss the importance of visible women role models and who has inspired them to pursue a career.
<blockquote>
“For me it's not just one person, it's a village, it's my mother, my siblings, the aunties in my community, it's my cousins and ancestors. Being the first civil engineer in my family is a real roller coaster but I've always had that support from my family and my community so that's something that I highly value”, said Dalia.
“I owe this to my mother. From when I was very little, she empowered me and made me aware that there's no challenge I cannot overcome. My mum was the first woman to go to university among seven siblings in a countryside family” said Maria.
“At work, I encounter women that have taken me to the next level, so they see my will to learn, they see my curiosity”.
</blockquote>
<hr>
Mentoring and future steps
Mentoring can be a powerful tool for women to connect and work with other women in the industry. Mentoring creates visibility in the space and allow for flourishing projects between women. For Caitriona, being part of the AWA Mentoring program allows her to build confidence in fellow women professionals so that ‘being the only female’ in the company is no longer a present reality.
<blockquote>
“I was determined because I didn't have that support so for me when I progressed under a leadership role, I really wanted to be the manager to my team that I felt that I never had.” Said Caitriona.
“I wanted to be a mentor, support my team and give them the tools that they needed to progress as well, and I've watched many teams members progress in their career. I definitely draw my inspiration from my team.”<a href="https://www.downergroup.com/"></a>
</blockquote>
<hr>
<a href="https://www.downergroup.com/">Season 8, Accelerating Action is proudly sponsored by Downer</a>

Podcast – Supporting women in water

In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Rob Martinovic (Technology Director, Gasification, Downer) sits down with the Australian Water Association to discuss an Australian first initiative demonstrating how sewage sludge can be transformed into biochar and energy.

For those unfamiliar with biosolids, it's a by-product of wastewater treatment. Every wastewater treatment plant in Australia generates biosolids. Previously, it was just sent to farmers to compost however in recent years, there's been an increasing awareness of what's in biosolids beyond just carbon and phosphorus. Water authorities also pay to get rid of biosolids which can amount to hundreds of thousands of tons each year. So how we do solve this substantial for the industry?

Gasification facility

“The water industry has been reluctant to raise water rates, so the cost burden is on the utilities and so there's been a big push to look at how do we mitigate some of those costs” said Rob.

“There’s been a lot of work done that Downer and some of its Partners have done over several years to look mitigating operating costs and destroy contaminants and it's led us to what was built at Logan”.

Downer has partnered with Logan City Council and delivery partner Pyrocal to create an Australian first by successfully turning biosolids (sewage sludge) into renewable energy and a sustainable biochar product at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

“It's the first of its type on a municipal scale. There is a lot of research by others as well in this field, we're not the only ones, it's just that we are the first who have been able to demonstrate it at a scale that can be built and is now operating and is fully functional”, said Rob.

Biochar

The biosolids gasification process is how sewage sludge can be dewatered, dried, and then treated with high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment to produce biogas. Recovered energy in the biogas is used to power the drying and heating processes. The gasification facility is energy neutral, with 70 per cent of the energy in biosolids recovered and reused, and the remaining energy sourced from an onsite solar power system.

The gasification facility will reduce the volume of biosolids by 90 per cent and produce a safe, environmentally friendly biochar, which is a soil conditioner that can be added to potting mix, providing a sustainable solution for the waste product. The gasification process also reduces CO2 output by 4,800 tonnes annually and prevents organic pollutants from entering the soil.

“We're taking the biosolids which look like wet mud essentially and through a number of sort of steps, we end up with a very hard pellet called biochar.” Said Rob.

Recognition and achievements

The gasification facility was awarded the National Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Metro) at the Ozwater’23 Gala Dinner in 2023, recognising the work of the Logan Water Partnership including Logan Water, Downer, WSP in Australia, Stantec, and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Biochar also featured in a short ABC documentary ‘The Number 2 solution’, with a starring role by Johanna Johnson, the Queensland Young Water Professional of the Year for 2022.

You can watch the documentary here.

Subsequently, Logan Water will no longer pay contractors about $1.8M a year to truck 34,000 tonnes of biosolids from Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) 300km to the Darling Downs agricultural area for disposal. Operational cost savings and carbon credits will return almost $1M a year to the City of Logan, and a new revenue stream is being created from biochar sales.

A sustainable outcome

This project will leave a legacy for the City of Logan and the Australian water industry by:
advancing the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
encouraging water businesses to take a more sustainable approach to managing the 2.3M tonnes of dewatered biosolids produced each year in Australia (AWA, 2019).
developing new legislation with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science to guide the production and use of biochar.
reducing energy use for City of Logan operations and increasing use of clean energy.
helping Council to meet its target of carbon neutral operations by the end of 2022.
reducing operating costs for Council, enabling funds to be redirected to other services.
sequestering carbon and supporting the economy by providing biochar to industry.

“We feel very fortunate that we're in a position where a real benefit to the Australian environment can be achieved.” Said Rob.

Season 8, Accelerating Action is proudly sponsored by Downer

<a href="https://www.downergroup.com/"></a>In the latest episode of the Accelerating Action podcast, Rob Martinovic (Technology Director, Gasification, Downer) sits down with the Australian Water Association to discuss an Australian first initiative demonstrating how sewage sludge can be transformed into biochar and energy.
<hr>
For those unfamiliar with biosolids, it's a by-product of wastewater treatment. Every wastewater treatment plant in Australia generates biosolids. Previously, it was just sent to farmers to compost however in recent years, there's been an increasing awareness of what's in biosolids beyond just carbon and phosphorus. Water authorities also pay to get rid of biosolids which can amount to hundreds of thousands of tons each year. So how we do solve this substantial for the industry?
<hr>
Gasification facility
“The water industry has been reluctant to raise water rates, so the cost burden is on the utilities and so there's been a big push to look at how do we mitigate some of those costs” said Rob.
“There’s been a lot of work done that Downer and some of its Partners have done over several years to look mitigating operating costs and destroy contaminants and it's led us to what was built at Logan”.
Downer has partnered with Logan City Council and delivery partner Pyrocal to create an Australian first by successfully turning biosolids (sewage sludge) into renewable energy and a sustainable biochar product at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
“It's the first of its type on a municipal scale. There is a lot of research by others as well in this field, we're not the only ones, it's just that we are the first who have been able to demonstrate it at a scale that can be built and is now operating and is fully functional”, said Rob.
<hr>
Biochar
The biosolids gasification process is how sewage sludge can be dewatered, dried, and then treated with high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment to produce biogas. Recovered energy in the biogas is used to power the drying and heating processes. The gasification facility is energy neutral, with 70 per cent of the energy in biosolids recovered and reused, and the remaining energy sourced from an onsite solar power system.
The gasification facility will reduce the volume of biosolids by 90 per cent and produce a safe, environmentally friendly biochar, which is a soil conditioner that can be added to potting mix, providing a sustainable solution for the waste product. The gasification process also reduces CO2 output by 4,800 tonnes annually and prevents organic pollutants from entering the soil.
“We're taking the biosolids which look like wet mud essentially and through a number of sort of steps, we end up with a very hard pellet called biochar.” Said Rob.
<hr>
Recognition and achievements
The gasification facility was awarded the National Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Metro) at the Ozwater’23 Gala Dinner in 2023, recognising the work of the Logan Water Partnership including Logan Water, Downer, WSP in Australia, Stantec, and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Biochar also featured in a short ABC documentary ‘The Number 2 solution’, with a starring role by Johanna Johnson, the Queensland Young Water Professional of the Year for 2022.
<a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/number-2-solution/video/FA2204Q001S00">You can watch the documentary here.</a>
Subsequently, Logan Water will no longer pay contractors about $1.8M a year to truck 34,000 tonnes of biosolids from Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) 300km to the Darling Downs agricultural area for disposal. Operational cost savings and carbon credits will return almost $1M a year to the City of Logan, and a new revenue stream is being created from biochar sales.
<hr>
A sustainable outcome
This project will leave a legacy for the City of Logan and the Australian water industry by:
<ul>
<li>advancing the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.</li>
<li>encouraging water businesses to take a more sustainable approach to managing the 2.3M tonnes of dewatered biosolids produced each year in Australia (AWA, 2019).</li>
<li>developing new legislation with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science to guide the production and use of biochar.</li>
<li>reducing energy use for City of Logan operations and increasing use of clean energy.</li>
<li>helping Council to meet its target of carbon neutral operations by the end of 2022.</li>
<li>reducing operating costs for Council, enabling funds to be redirected to other services.</li>
<li>sequestering carbon and supporting the economy by providing biochar to industry.</li>
</ul>
“We feel very fortunate that we're in a position where a real benefit to the Australian environment can be achieved.” Said Rob.
<hr>
<a href="https://www.downergroup.com/">Season 8, Accelerating Action is proudly sponsored by Downer</a>

Biosolids gasification. A deep dive into an Australian first initiative with Rob Martinovic of Downer

The Australian Water Association's Accelerating Action Podcast Series brings you water industry information, projects and research from professionals working in Australia and abroad. Recorded during Ozwater'24, hosts Jo Taranto and Justin Matters interview key water professionals on their career, achievements, promising research and more.

Proudly sponsored by Downer

The Australian Water Association's Accelerating Action Podcast Series brings you water industry information, projects and research from professionals working in Australia and abroad. Recorded during Ozwater'24, hosts Jo Taranto and Justin Matters interview key water professionals on their career, achievements, promising research and more.
Proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.downergroup.com/">Downer</a>

Australian Water Association Podcast - Accelerating Action

Join host Jo Taranto as she interviews Andrew Ward, Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Queensland.

Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Join host Jo Taranto as she interviews Andrew Ward, Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Queensland.
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Andrew Ward discusses transforming regional wastewater treatment using high-rate algae ponds

Join host Jo Taranto as she interviews Mark Lautre, Interim CEO of SUEZ Australia and New Zealand on SUEZ' role with water sustainability and looking to the future.

Find out more about SUEZ.

Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Join host Jo Taranto as she interviews Mark Lautre, Interim CEO of SUEZ Australia and New Zealand on SUEZ' role with water sustainability and looking to the future.
Find out more about <a href="https://www.suez.com/en/australia-new-zealand">SUEZ</a>.
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Mark Lautre of SUEZ discusses water sustainability and the role of SUEZ

Join host Jo Taranto as she interviews Brendan Moore, Co-Founder of Pride in Water and Donald Hughan and Llewellyn Prain of WaterAble. 

Pride in Water aims to create safer work place cultures for LGBTIQ+ staff, connecting them allies within the water industry to provide support, mentoring and guidance for LGBTIQ+ staff.

WaterAble are a network of people with disability and their allies in the Victorian water industry to improve inclusion and access for employees and customers with disability, raise awareness about the rights of people with a disability and promote disability pride.

WaterAble supports people with disability to progress their career and share good ideas and practices across the industry to support the employment of people with disability to advocate for all members.

Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Join host Jo Taranto as she interviews Brendan Moore, Co-Founder of Pride in Water and Donald Hughan and Llewellyn Prain of WaterAble.  <a href="https://www.prideinwater.com.au/">Pride in Water</a> aims to create safer work place cultures for LGBTIQ+ staff, connecting them allies within the water industry to provide support, mentoring and guidance for LGBTIQ+ staff.
<a href="https://waterable.com.au/">WaterAble</a> are a network of people with disability and their allies in the Victorian water industry to improve inclusion and access for employees and customers with disability, raise awareness about the rights of people with a disability and promote disability pride.
WaterAble supports people with disability to progress their career and share good ideas and practices across the industry to support the employment of people with disability to advocate for all members.
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Pride in Water and WaterAble discuss diversity, inclusion and advocacy in the Water sector

Daniel Lambert, Executive Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions for Unitywater discusses Net Zero and Unitywaters' sustainability goals in particular a focus on Oyster Reef Restorations with host Jo Taranto.

Find out more about Unitywater and their sustainability goals here.

Daniel is the Executive Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions at Unitywater where he leads the strategic planning, asset management, capital delivery and water solutions functions. He has a long history of experience in Australia and internationally, and holds a number of industry positions and advisory roles.

Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Daniel Lambert, Executive Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions for Unitywater discusses Net Zero and Unitywaters' sustainability goals in particular a focus on Oyster Reef Restorations with host Jo Taranto.
Find out more about Unitywater and their sustainability goals <a href="https://www.unitywater.com/about-us/our-business/sustainability">here</a>.
Daniel is the Executive Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions at Unitywater where he leads the strategic planning, asset management, capital delivery and water solutions functions. He has a long history of experience in Australia and internationally, and holds a number of industry positions and advisory roles.
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Net Zero, Sustainability and the Oyster Reef Restoration Trial with Unitywater

Peter Carroll, Service Line Leader, Water Treatment and Desalination for GHD joins Jo Taranto to discuss why he got into water, his involvement in the Ozwater'23 Water Leaders Forum and more.

Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Peter Carroll, Service Line Leader, Water Treatment and Desalination for GHD joins Jo Taranto to discuss why he got into water, his involvement in the Ozwater'23 Water Leaders Forum and more.
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Water Supply, Security and Resilience

Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Interview with Peter Coombes

Universal Automation: Unleashing Innovation with Nicole Blackburn of Schneider Electric

As utilities learn new ways of finding efficiencies in operating, they also need more sophisticated systems to identify where cost saving can be made. 

This is becoming more important as utilities expand into renewables and are keen to learn how assets like solar work with existing infrastructure to keep costs low or even at zero.

Alana Duncker, Market Leader Digital Services for Water at Stantec, says her 20 years in modelling, planning and optimisation has helped clients like SA Water learn more about their systems.

Alana sits down to chat with host Jo Taranto to talk about her secondment to SA Water, working towards a zero-cost future, and building a digital tool to help limit operating costs.



Reaching a zero-cost future

“For me, zero cost is about being able to have renewable energy behind the meter to use on your sites,” Alana says.

“Then making the most of the price to generate money and getting closer and closer towards operating your assets at that zero level.”

With South Australia being a dry state, the population relies on pumping water from the Murray River to feed Adelaide reservoirs.

But as energy prices continue to go up, SA Water had to switch to an on-the-spot market. This flexibility in moving meant SA Water can pump water at lower costs and even turn a profit.

“When the price is high: stop pumping. When the price is negative: start pumping. You can actually make money from pumping,” Alana says.



Adding renewable energy into the mix

Over the years, SA Water has brought in more renewables. Alana says when you add these energy assets into the mix, there are even more opportunities to save money.

“When the price is high, the solar panels are generating and you're making money from solar. And you've turned your pumps off when the price is low, you can run your pumps and you can either make money or balance that.”

“Having all these renewable energy assets in the mix adds a level of complication that you really do need to bring a model and an optimisation algorithm behind it.”



Building the essential tools for a zero-cost energy future

While SA Water had all the assets and resources, Alana says the team needed a dashboard tool that gave them the most accurate data and information.  

The tool shows prices, forecasts, water demand forecasts, water level storage, pump availability, and more. All this together is presented in a format designed for SA Water employees.

This would help the team in the control centre make the decisions that saved the most time, money, and energy.

“Operations needed something that can guide them,” Alana says. “For instance, when is it optimal to pump? When should you be using your solar on-site? When should you be sending it to the market?”

“In the control centre, they can run the optimisation, view that schedule, make changes if they want, see what the impact is on the network, and then turn around and commit that to the pump.”

Alana says she can see other utilities bringing in their own optimisation tools for the same purpose. But she says you still need the right business goals, and most importantly, data.

“You need the data, and you need the models to give you confidence in what you're doing as well,” she says.



Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

As utilities learn new ways of finding efficiencies in operating, they also need more sophisticated systems to identify where cost saving can be made. 
This is becoming more important as utilities expand into renewables and are keen to learn how assets like solar work with existing infrastructure to keep costs low or even at zero.
Alana Duncker, Market Leader Digital Services for Water at Stantec, says her 20 years in modelling, planning and optimisation has helped clients like SA Water learn more about their systems.
Alana sits down to chat with host Jo Taranto to talk about her secondment to SA Water, working towards a zero-cost future, and building a digital tool to help limit operating costs.
 
Reaching a zero-cost future
“For me, zero cost is about being able to have renewable energy behind the meter to use on your sites,” Alana says.
“Then making the most of the price to generate money and getting closer and closer towards operating your assets at that zero level.”
With South Australia being a dry state, the population relies on pumping water from the Murray River to feed Adelaide reservoirs.
But as energy prices continue to go up, SA Water had to switch to an on-the-spot market. This flexibility in moving meant SA Water can pump water at lower costs and even turn a profit.
“When the price is high: stop pumping. When the price is negative: start pumping. You can actually make money from pumping,” Alana says.
 
Adding renewable energy into the mix
Over the years, SA Water has brought in more renewables. Alana says when you add these energy assets into the mix, there are even more opportunities to save money.
“When the price is high, the solar panels are generating and you're making money from solar. And you've turned your pumps off when the price is low, you can run your pumps and you can either make money or balance that.”
“Having all these renewable energy assets in the mix adds a level of complication that you really do need to bring a model and an optimisation algorithm behind it.”
 
Building the essential tools for a zero-cost energy future
While SA Water had all the assets and resources, Alana says the team needed a dashboard tool that gave them the most accurate data and information.  
The tool shows prices, forecasts, water demand forecasts, water level storage, pump availability, and more. All this together is presented in a format designed for SA Water employees.
This would help the team in the control centre make the decisions that saved the most time, money, and energy.
“Operations needed something that can guide them,” Alana says. “For instance, when is it optimal to pump? When should you be using your solar on-site? When should you be sending it to the market?”
“In the control centre, they can run the optimisation, view that schedule, make changes if they want, see what the impact is on the network, and then turn around and commit that to the pump.”
Alana says she can see other utilities bringing in their own optimisation tools for the same purpose. But she says you still need the right business goals, and most importantly, data.
“You need the data, and you need the models to give you confidence in what you're doing as well,” she says.
 
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Making the right digital investments to achieve a zero-cost future ft. Alana Duncker of Stantec

When Karina Dervidis started her career in engineering it was clear she was joining a very small club. 

Now, as the Senior Water Planning Engineer at Stantec, Karina says she got used to being the only woman in the room. But she was also seeing young women starting their careers notice it too.

“I think the main thing that stands out is that you're usually one of only a few women, if any, in a lot of groups,” Karina says. “But I think when you're starting out in your career it's something that stands out to you. You ask yourself ‘where are the other women?’”

In this episode, host Jo Taranto chats with Karina about starting a work experience program aimed at high school girls, the current gender disparity in engineering, and how Stantec is encouraging more young women to take up STEM careers.



Gender diversity in engineering 

More and more STEM industries are making great leaps in attracting more gender-diverse talent to workplaces. Right now, about 29% of all STEM jobs are done by women in Australia.

But Karina says for women in engineering there hasn’t been much of a change, with only 13% of engineers in Australia being women.

“It's surprisingly low, and it's something that has remained fairly constant for a long time,” Karina says. “I think that's something that as an industry we need to work on. How do we encourage more women to consider engineering?”

Karina worked with the Women in STEM group within Stantec to launch a work experience program aimed at parents of girls in years 11 and 12.     

“We settled on high school students because they're at that critical point in their lives where they have to start thinking about career choices.”



Connecting students with science in the workplace

The program started as a trial in December 2023, beginning with asking Stantec staff parents with teenage daughters in their Brisbane office. It wasn’t long before they started inviting local high schools.

Due to resourcing and the popularity of the program, they’ve had to apply limits of 5 students. But Karina says she hopes to increase that limit in years to come.

“Being a multidisciplinary company, it was important to not just show what civil engineers do, but what the breadth of different careers and different fields and what they do.”

Along with the work experience program, Stantec also partnered with a local school where staff speak to students once a term and run workshops about careers in STEM.



The importance of role models and representation 

Karina believes programs like this go a long way to bringing engineering to young people. But she says there are still a lot of assumptions.

“There's this perception by parents, teachers, and just the general public that these are not careers for women,” Karina says. “There’s virtually no media representation like what you get with medicine.”

With the right backing and support, Karina says other organisations can run similar programs aimed at young women.

“Showing them that we are women of different backgrounds, different career levels, we're at different stages in our careers. It's something that they can achieve too if they're interested in a career in STEM.”

“You don't need to be the best person at maths or science. You just need to have an interest in these areas and there's so much more than just the numbers. Engineering can take you anywhere, there's so many opportunities out there. It's a great career to consider.”



Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

When Karina Dervidis started her career in engineering it was clear she was joining a very small club. 
Now, as the Senior Water Planning Engineer at Stantec, Karina says she got used to being the only woman in the room. But she was also seeing young women starting their careers notice it too.
“I think the main thing that stands out is that you're usually one of only a few women, if any, in a lot of groups,” Karina says. “But I think when you're starting out in your career it's something that stands out to you. You ask yourself ‘where are the other women?’”
In this episode, host Jo Taranto chats with Karina about starting a work experience program aimed at high school girls, the current gender disparity in engineering, and how Stantec is encouraging more young women to take up STEM careers.
 
Gender diversity in engineering 
More and more STEM industries are making great leaps in attracting more gender-diverse talent to workplaces. Right now, about 29% of all STEM jobs are done by women in Australia.
But Karina says for women in engineering there hasn’t been much of a change, with only 13% of engineers in Australia being women.
“It's surprisingly low, and it's something that has remained fairly constant for a long time,” Karina says. “I think that's something that as an industry we need to work on. How do we encourage more women to consider engineering?”
Karina worked with the Women in STEM group within Stantec to launch a work experience program aimed at parents of girls in years 11 and 12.     
“We settled on high school students because they're at that critical point in their lives where they have to start thinking about career choices.”
 
Connecting students with science in the workplace
The program started as a trial in December 2023, beginning with asking Stantec staff parents with teenage daughters in their Brisbane office. It wasn’t long before they started inviting local high schools.
Due to resourcing and the popularity of the program, they’ve had to apply limits of 5 students. But Karina says she hopes to increase that limit in years to come.
“Being a multidisciplinary company, it was important to not just show what civil engineers do, but what the breadth of different careers and different fields and what they do.”
Along with the work experience program, Stantec also partnered with a local school where staff speak to students once a term and run workshops about careers in STEM.
 
The importance of role models and representation 
Karina believes programs like this go a long way to bringing engineering to young people. But she says there are still a lot of assumptions.
“There's this perception by parents, teachers, and just the general public that these are not careers for women,” Karina says. “There’s virtually no media representation like what you get with medicine.”
With the right backing and support, Karina says other organisations can run similar programs aimed at young women.
“Showing them that we are women of different backgrounds, different career levels, we're at different stages in our careers. It's something that they can achieve too if they're interested in a career in STEM.”
“You don't need to be the best person at maths or science. You just need to have an interest in these areas and there's so much more than just the numbers. Engineering can take you anywhere, there's so many opportunities out there. It's a great career to consider.”
 
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

More than just numbers: the work experience program inspiring young women to take on engineering

When South East Water launched their customer water usage app back in 2016 they learnt a lot of hard lessons. 

Alana Jones, Customer R&D Project Manager at South East Water, says the app was designed to help customers save water by monitoring water usage of toilets, showers and washing machines.

Many of the features and ideas were based on customer feedback from question-and-answer research. What was expected to be a game-changer for the industry ended with disappointing results.

“We got zero per cent behaviour change,” Alana says. “It's so confusing, and it was so disappointing. We went back to the drawing board and regroup for the next couple of initiatives.”

Fast forward to today, South East Water’s latest customer apps and features have started to shift customer behaviour – all thanks to a few changes in the way they approach data and research.

Alana recently sat down with our host Jo Taranto to talk about how changing customer behaviour is less about asking questions and more about listening.



Digging deeper into customer feedback

Alana says for the past 10 years she has been working on bringing new tools, apps and features to South East Water customers to save on their water bills.

These include a compilation of five different products aimed at customers that let them know about peak water usage times or potential leaks and manage their appliance’s water use.

During the customer research phase, Alana soon learned people are sensitive about revealing how much water they really use.

“Question and answer research has a good role to play, but it's really hard to get beneath the surface,” Alana says. “Particularly in an area like water conservation where sometimes habits are quite ingrained.”

“For example, some people love to leave the tap on the entire time that they're cooking dinner so they can come back and forth to wash dishes, wash food.

“It's trying to interrupt these long-standing habits with some recommendations for better behaviour.”



How better data makes better products

Alana says observing and understanding customer behaviour, and intervening at the right times, produced much better results than just asking questions.

When it came time to deliver their Water Saver app, a tool for customers that encourages them to track water conservation targets in their homes, the results were a stark contrast to their first app in 2016.

“By the end of the trial we saw a shift in behaviour change of around 1.6 per cent,” Alana says. “Saving 1.6 per cent in a water context is actually huge. All of it counts.”

Alana says while observational research has been key to the project, other factors such as changing customer expectations have helped in changing their approach.

“As a water utility, we're used to delivering a bulk water product, taking it away, and treating it. It's quite a technical and highly specialised skill.

“But now, we all have to become data experts, technology experts, and really customer experts.”



Nudge, nudge, and keep nudging

For Alana, the secret to changing customer behaviour and help them live more sustainable and healthier lives came down to one thing.

“Nudge, nudge, keep nudging,” she says. “The things that I've learned most across doing these initiatives is that the data has to be quite personalised and relevant.

“It's no good sitting there with rows and rows of data if you can't actually make it meaningful for the customer.”



Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

When South East Water launched their customer water usage app back in 2016 they learnt a lot of hard lessons. 
Alana Jones, Customer R&amp;D Project Manager at South East Water, says the app was designed to help customers save water by monitoring water usage of toilets, showers and washing machines.
Many of the features and ideas were based on customer feedback from question-and-answer research. What was expected to be a game-changer for the industry ended with disappointing results.
“We got zero per cent behaviour change,” Alana says. “It's so confusing, and it was so disappointing. We went back to the drawing board and regroup for the next couple of initiatives.”
Fast forward to today, South East Water’s latest customer apps and features have started to shift customer behaviour – all thanks to a few changes in the way they approach data and research.
Alana recently sat down with our host Jo Taranto to talk about how changing customer behaviour is less about asking questions and more about listening.
 
Digging deeper into customer feedback
Alana says for the past 10 years she has been working on bringing new tools, apps and features to South East Water customers to save on their water bills.
These include a compilation of five different products aimed at customers that let them know about peak water usage times or potential leaks and manage their appliance’s water use.
During the customer research phase, Alana soon learned people are sensitive about revealing how much water they really use.
“Question and answer research has a good role to play, but it's really hard to get beneath the surface,” Alana says. “Particularly in an area like water conservation where sometimes habits are quite ingrained.”
“For example, some people love to leave the tap on the entire time that they're cooking dinner so they can come back and forth to wash dishes, wash food.
“It's trying to interrupt these long-standing habits with some recommendations for better behaviour.”
 
How better data makes better products
Alana says observing and understanding customer behaviour, and intervening at the right times, produced much better results than just asking questions.
When it came time to deliver their Water Saver app, a tool for customers that encourages them to track water conservation targets in their homes, the results were a stark contrast to their first app in 2016.
“By the end of the trial we saw a shift in behaviour change of around 1.6 per cent,” Alana says. “Saving 1.6 per cent in a water context is actually huge. All of it counts.”
Alana says while observational research has been key to the project, other factors such as changing customer expectations have helped in changing their approach.
“As a water utility, we're used to delivering a bulk water product, taking it away, and treating it. It's quite a technical and highly specialised skill.
“But now, we all have to become data experts, technology experts, and really customer experts.”
 
Nudge, nudge, and keep nudging
For Alana, the secret to changing customer behaviour and help them live more sustainable and healthier lives came down to one thing.
“Nudge, nudge, keep nudging,” she says. “The things that I've learned most across doing these initiatives is that the data has to be quite personalised and relevant.
“It's no good sitting there with rows and rows of data if you can't actually make it meaningful for the customer.”
 
Season 7, United by Water is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

How South East Water’s approach to research is helping customers make positive changes

The Australian Water Association's Podcast Series brings you water industry information, projects and research from professionals working in Australia and abroad. Recorded during Ozwater'23, Jo Taranto interviews key water professionals on their career, achievements, promising research and more.

Proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric

The Australian Water Association's Podcast Series brings you water industry information, projects and research from professionals working in Australia and abroad. Recorded during Ozwater'23, Jo Taranto interviews key water professionals on their career, achievements, promising research and more.
Proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>

Australian Water Association Podcast - United by Water

Season 6, Water Talks is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Season 6, Water Talks is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Interview with Alexandra Butler

Interview Bradley Yager of Schneider Electric

Interview with Amy Singe

Interview with Aravind Surapeneni

Daniel Turcinovich and Sarah Roach discuss delivering social and environmentally sustainable value.

Daniel Turcinovich and Sarah Roach discuss delivering social and environmentally sustainable value.

Daniel Turcinovich and Sarah Roach discuss delivering social and environmental sustainable value

Ruth McDonnell talks about the role of water utilities in land management and biodiversity.

Ruth McDonnell talks about the role of water utilities in land management and biodiversity.

Ruth McDonnell on the role of water utilities in land management and biodiversity

Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran, an emeritus professor from the University of Technology, Sydney discusses household water filters for removing arsenic and other pollutants in Vietnam.

Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran, an emeritus professor from the University of Technology, Sydney discusses household water filters for removing arsenic and other pollutants in Vietnam.

Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran on household water filters for removing arsenic and other pollutants in Vietnam

Neil Palmer, the CTO at Osmoflo discusses about the role of water in green hydrogen generation.

Season 6, Water Talks is proudly sponsored by Schneider Electric.

Neil Palmer, the CTO at Osmoflo discusses about the role of water in green hydrogen generation.
Season 6, Water Talks is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/">Schneider Electric</a>.

Neil Palmer on the role of water in green hydrogen generation

Katrina Donaghy, the CEO and co-founder of Civic Ledger, discusses with us the world's first water market pilot on the blockchain.

Katrina Donaghy, the CEO and co-founder of Civic Ledger, discusses with us the world's first water market pilot on the blockchain.

Katrina Donaghy on how the water market can work with the blockchain

Kate, from Greater Melbourne Urban Water & System Strategy, and Lisa, from Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation discuss with us partnerships between water and Traditional Owner Corporations.

Kate, from Greater Melbourne Urban Water &amp; System Strategy, and Lisa, from Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation discuss with us partnerships between water and Traditional Owner Corporations.

Kate Maddy and Lisa Hocking on Indigenous partnerships

The Australian Water Association's Podcast Series brings you water industry information, projects and research from professionals working in Australia and abroad.

The Australian Water Association's Podcast Series brings you water industry information, projects and research from professionals working in Australia and abroad.

Australian Water Association Podcast

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